Zidane set to be Real Madrid's sporting director

MADRID (AP) – Former France great Zinedine Zidane says he will be Real Madrid's new sporting director beginning Monday.

The former Real Madrid star and three-time world player of the year was an adviser to team President Florentino Perez. Perez fired former sporting director Jorge Valdano in May following a seasonlong feud between him and coach Jose Mourinho.

Zidane says ''Mourinho has been fundamental'' in getting him the job, which sees the former World Cup winner take on a major role in the club's reshuffled structure.

Zidane gained notoriety for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the chest during a loss to Italy in the 2006 World Cup.